Tofu Tuesday: Bye Bye Left Eye

On Friday evening, I noticed Tofu’s left eye was sealed shut. I freaked out and called the vet immediately and we spent a big chunk of Saturday on standby at the vet clinic.

Problems with rabbits escalate very quickly so if you have a pet rabbit and you have any concerns, do not hesitate to see your vet. The clinic was really busy with a bunch of emergencies, but we were also considered urgent by the vet and able to get a diagnosis.

Tofu had a corneal ulcer which became severely infected within 24 hours. He probably scratched it or a piece of hay may have poked him in the eye. He already had cataracts in both eyes, so sight wasn’t an issue, but infection is bad news. We were given antibiotics and a follow up visit for Monday.

He was super hungry over the weekend and got plenty of snuggles. It was traumatic having force open his red, pus-ridden eye four times a day to administer Chlorsig drops and ointment for infection. He didn’t like us to go near his eye and put up a little fight each time. Poor thing.

The drops didn’t help the infection and yesterday it was decided the best thing to do was to remove the eye. Usually they would try and save the eye but since Tofu is already blind, removing the eye is the best thing for him.

This was Tofu’s second surgery (he had a bladder stone removed 4 months ago), but it seems this little dude is a fighter.

On the bright side, Tofu’s x-ray showed an all clear for his bladder troubles. No bladder sludge, no bladder stones. All clear!

I spoke with the vet clinic yesterday afternoon and they said the surgery went perfectly and Tofu was doing well. I’m sure he can’t wait to come home and we will miss him tonight. I will be picking up from the vet clinic tomorrow morning.

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I am Genie, a designer/photographer obsessed with food and bunnies. I live in Auckland, New Zealand with my husband, The Koala. I write about my hedonistic ways and I love the mantra "Eat well, travel often". I prefer not to write about myself in third person.
www.bunnyeatsdesign.com

37 Comments

All best wishes to you 3, especially dear little tofu. It’s wonderful to know you have access to such excellent veterinary care. Hopefully he will recover quickly and we will be treated to more adorable photos of him, perhaps with his head held at a jaunty angle with or without a patch. He is a fortunate bunny to be a part of such a loving family. Sending bunny love from the USA!

Thank you Iris. We are lucky to have a very good exotics vet who deal with a lot of bunnies. It is always reassuring seeing lots of other bunnies being treated there. Most vets don’t seem to work too hard bunnies but these guys seem to adore Tofu. After our old vet recommended this exotics vet as the best vet for bunnies, we have never looked back.

Oh my goodness. Although I am sad to hear that Tofu has lost an eye, I am glad that you are in the hands of a knowledgable and capable vet with experience with rabbits! I am also very happy to hear that his recovery has been smooth and that there are no more bladder stones.

It is a true testament to his strong will, wonderful disposition, and fabulous owners that his appetite has not diminished 🙂 Two eyes or not, as long as he can still find the food 🙂

And I definitely think he would be quite dapper with a photoshopped eyepatch!

Thinking positive, healing thoughts for sweet Tofu. He’s a lucky little guy to have such a caring family. I hope his recovery is a quick one. I so enjoy the weekly photos of him. One of my bunnies has cataracts now and it’s been good too see how happy and well Tofu has done with the same condition. I’m sure he’ll handle this well, too! Hopefully you’ll have him back home soon to love and spoil!

Cataracts are usually gradual and bunnies seem to adapt really well. Tofu has double cataracts and that doesn’t stop him from running around or jumping on and off the bed and couch. It’s pretty amazing. As long as you don’t rearrange the furniture and try and keep paths free, they should be fine.

My name’s Alicia. I live in the States with my 3 bunnies- Annie, Otis and Proudfoot. We’re a scrappy crew- we’ve moved from one tiny apartment to the next over the years… just trying to make ends meet. I try my best to do right by my buns- Give them the biggest pen, get them outside as much as possible… you know, that kind of thing. But it’s not what I want for them. I’m saving up to move to a better place- maybe a farm, or a house with a big yard.

In the meantime – I tell my fur kids a bunny fairy tale- It’s the story of a blind bunny named Tofu in the faraway land called New Zealand. I tell them how Tofu is a free range rabbit and every day he gets to hop outside and spend ALL DAY in the fresh air! I show them all the pictures too!! We all love hearing about Tofu and his adventures. It keeps us going. I cried my eyes out when I read that Tofu had lost his eye. He brings us such joy- and it’s difficult imagining him in pain. We’re all sending our love and good vibes, and wishing him a speedy recovery.

Genie, I’m so sorry to hear about Tofu’s eye! The poor little guy! But he sounds like a total fighter so I’m sure he’s going to be back to himself in no time. I’ll be thinking of him and sending him virtual snuggles!

I had missed this post, poor Tofu. (though now we know he’s on the mend). If he was already blind in that eye then yes it was a wise thing to do to avoid extending the problem. Years ago we had a cat. She arrived home one day with her tail broken in pieces (the vet thinks some b*#S%@^ took hold of her by the tail and whipped her around). We had to amputate. 10 days later she was back on the roof chasing birds.. It seems we have a misconception that cats need their tails for balance, apparently not! Cuddles for Tofu.